Tillage Innovation Profiles

 

James McLagan, Mitchell, Perth
Soil Type: Silty Clay loam | Farm Operation: Dairy / Crops
Years in Operation of No-till: 19

Tillage/Cropping System

System: No-till
Fall Tillage:
Spring Tillage:

Planter Make, Model and Description
  • CaseIH 955 planter 6/11
  • double disc openers, closing discs, large rubber firming wheel
  • starter fertilizer below seed
  • Till Tech three coulter unit with planter lift on rear
  • 1- 325 gal. tank 6-24-6 starter
  • 2 – 325 gal. tanks for 28% uan
Tillage/Coulter Dimensions:
  • 17” diameter lead coulter on row, 2 coulters per row are 3” each side of row
  • tillage depth 3-5”

Fertilizer System:
Liquid In furrow: 6-24-6 @ 5gal./ac.
Broadcast: 0-0-60 @ 250lb./ac.
Dry Banded: none
Additional Nitrogen on Planter: 28% UAN @ 15-20 gal./ac.
Sidedress N: 15-32 gal./ac.

Producer's Comments

Pros

Cons
  • 1 pass planting.
  • Less fuel/ac.
  • Less erosion.
  • More worms- residue managers .
  • May have to wait an extra day for land to dry.